Gingivitis is a gum disease that affects the gum area around the base of your tooth causing irritation, swelling and redness.

Gingivitis can usually be reversed with professional dental treatment and good hygiene (brushing and flossing) at home. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to pockets between your gums and teeth.

This can become a serious deeper infection, periodontitis, that reaches the bone. You could have loose teeth, and possibly tooth loss. In a worst case scenario, this infection can enter the bloodstream and cause problems in other parts of the body.

untreated Gingivitis causes periodontitis